Bourgogne Epineuil 2023 Domaine Dominique Gruhier

The Bourgogne Épineuil 2023 from Domaine Dominique Gruhier is an entry point into this producer's Chablis-style Pinot Noir, and one of Burgundy's best values for those seeking a precise, vibrant and mineral red at an accessible price. In the village of Épineuil, Dominique Gruhier crafts pure, vibrant Pinot Noirs from the same oyster-fossil-laden soils found in Chablis, fifteen minutes to the south. His organic Pinot Noir carries a brisk minerality and natural high acidity, with tart cherry, roses, smoke and dried leaves as its aromatic signature. A brilliant Burgundy across the board.

Terroir and vines

This Bourgogne Épineuil comes from various parcels representing the domaine's terroirs, located on slopes reaching up to 45 per cent gradient, with south and south-east exposure. The soils are entirely Kimmeridgian, those clay-limestone deposits rich in oyster fossils dating back 150 million years, which the Épineuil vineyard shares with its neighbour Chablis. This geological substrate is key to the particular character of this Pinot Noir: a saline, chalky minerality, natural freshness and acidic tension that give this red an absolutely unique lightness and precision within the Burgundy vineyard. Average vine age is 40 years. Viticulture has been certified organic since 2015. Winemaking is minimalist: 10 to 20 per cent whole bunch depending on the vintage, fermentation on indigenous yeasts for 2 to 3 weeks with punchdowns, ageing for 8 to 12 months in used barrels. Sulphur added a few months before bottling, at just 25 to 30 ppm.

Tasting profile

The colour is a luminous ruby red with violet glints, lively and bright. The nose opens with immediate frankness and vivacity: tart cherry, fresh raspberry, rose and delicate floral notes emerge spontaneously, accompanied by a light touch of smoke, dried leaves and precise Kimmeridgian minerality. The partially whole-bunch harvest brings an extra spicy and floral lift that enriches this bouquet with natural, well-defined complexity. On the palate, the attack is frank and fresh, with ripe tannins of very fine grain and vibrant natural acidity that bring momentum, tension and drinkability to the light, precise fruit. The texture is silky, the fruit crisp and juicy, with a mineral and persistent finish of fine saline length. A Pinot Noir best served lightly chilled, surprising for its precision and freshness, and for curious drinkers a discovery of a confidential Burgundy terroir of absolute sincerity.

The domaine

The Domaine de l'Abbaye du Petit Quincy is a fine Cistercian dependency dedicated to wine production since the thirteenth century. Taken over in 1989 by Jean-Paul Gruhier and his son Dominique, the domaine now extends across more than 32 hectares of organic-certified vines, with 14 different cuvées sold in over 30 countries worldwide. Since 1999, Dominique has committed to organic production and winemaking without additives, to preserve the purity of the fruit and authentic expression of Épineuil's Kimmeridgian terroir.

Food pairings

This Bourgogne Épineuil pairs beautifully with eggs in red wine sauce, herb-roasted chicken, quality charcuterie, grilled salmon, aged cheeses such as young Comté or quality goat's cheese. Serve lightly chilled between 14 and 16°C, with 30 minutes anticipatory opening. This iodine-inflected and mineral red will pleasantly surprise those unfamiliar with the Kimmeridgian Pinot Noir of northern Burgundy.